DOZENS of folks took to the water in Wimborne at the weekend and had a splashing time at an annual event.

The Dreamboats Regatta 2023 saw enthusiastic locals hit the waves aboard the hire boats, celebrating the success of the initiative.

Dreamboats Wimborne, part of the Vision Wimborne charity, was launched in 2000 after someone noted the lack of rowing boats on the River Stour.

Councillor Pat Hymers took the words ‘on board’ and gathered an enthusiastic group of local together to launch the scheme, with the support of business, Dorset Council, and more.

They have gone from strength to strength and now have a large pontoon, a workshop, two boathouses, lots of craft to hire, heaps of life jackets and all the other paraphernalia needed to keep boats and people afloat.

The free regatta celebrates the success of the scheme and brings locals and visitors alike out to enjoy the facilities.

For more information on the Dreamboats, log on to dreamboats.org.

Pictures by Tom Scrase